Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

University of Mississippi

Wednesday, August 5, 2020 COVID-19 updates

University News

“Are You Ready?” Pledge
Students, staff, faculty and the LOU community are invited to take the voluntary “Are You Ready?” Pledge to follow health and safety guidelines and watch out for each other’s well-being throughout the semester. This student-driven pledge is a symbolic commitment that acknowledges everyone’s responsibility to help our community thrive. Take the pledge here and then share on social media why you took the pledge!
C19 Ambassador Program
Students, staff and faculty are invited to become C19 ambassadors. The purpose of the C19 Ambassador program is to provide encouragement and information to members of the university community about how to follow health and safety protocols established for the return to campus. Our safety depends on everyone’s cooperation, and we encourage all students, faculty and staff to share in the responsibility of keeping campus safe. C19 Ambassadors may be eligible to receive credit for community service. If you are interested, visit the C19 Ambassador application link for additional information about the program and to sign up for one of two interest meetings.
Zoom User Training
Faculty, staff, students and all UM Zoom users are invited on Tuesday, August 11, from 12-1 PM (CDT) to a Zoom User Training. Join this event brought to UM by Zoom. Danny Mariscal will share new features, best practices, and relevant advice for effective use of Zoom. He is the school’s Zoom Technical Team Lead and Customer Success manager who will bring interactive, intentional and accurate training to help you teach, work, research, study, and flourish as a Zoom expert. Contact Sarah Campbell at smcampb4@olemiss.edu with questions.
University COVID-19-related news stories

Students

Featured FAQ
What will Groovin’ at Move-in look like this year?
Groovin’ at Move-in will look very different this year. Instead of being assigned a move-in day based on building and/or floor, each student will select their own appointment time to move into their room between August 15 and August 21. In addition, each student will be allowed to have no more than 2 guests helping them move in. All students and guests will need to wear face coverings and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Volunteers will not be available to assist students and guests with moving personal items.

Faculty and Staff

Featured FAQ
Am I required to complete the UM COVID-19 Daily Symptom Checker daily?
Yes, employees complete the UM COVID-19 Daily Symptom Checker each day before reporting to work. Employees will use this interactive tool daily to check for coronavirus symptoms and learn about resources available to help protect yourself and others from the spread of COVID-19.  The submissions are anonymous and no identifying information is collected.  The Checker is a public health program and a necessity as we promote a safe community.

State and Local Orders

Please note that there have been a number of recent state and local orders that we are highlighting because of the impact on our campus and community.

Mississippi State Department of Health, MS Health Alert: COVID-19 Isolation Order — August 2, 2020

  • All persons residing in Mississippi must immediately home-isolate on first knowledge of infection with COVID-19. 
  • Persons infected with COVID-19, and not hospitalized, must remain in the home or other appropriate residential location for 14 days from onset of illness (or from the date of a positive test for those who are asymptomatic). 
  • If your employer approves and says you are critical, you may return to work 10 days from the day your symptoms started (or from the day you were tested if you had no symptoms) and you have been fever free for at least 24 hours, and you have no other symptoms. 
  • The failure or refusal to obey the lawful order of a health officer is, at a minimum, a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500.00 (41-3-59) or imprisonment for six months or both. If a life- threatening disease is involved, failure or refusal to obey the lawful order of a health officer is a felony, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000.00 or imprisonment for up to five years or both (41- 23-2). 
Gov. Tate Reeves Executive Order 1517 — August 4, 2020
  • “Every person in Mississippi shall wear a face covering, covering the nose and mouth, while inside a school building or classroom, or when outdoors on a school campus whenever it is not possible to maintain a minimum of six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household.” See the order for a list of exceptions.
  • “The start of the 2020-21 academic year for public schools in Bolivar, Coahoma, Forrest, George, Hinds, Panola, Sunflower and Washington Counties for grades seven through twelves shall be delayed until Monday, August 17, 2020.”
Gov. Tate Reeves Executive Order 1516 — August 4, 2020
  • “Every person in Mississippi shall wear a face covering, covering the nose and mouth, while inside a business, school or other building or space open to the public, or when in an outdoor public space whenever it is not possible to maintain a minimum of six feet of social distancing from another person not in the same household.” See the order for a list of exceptions.
  • “Executive Order 1516 shall be effective at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2020, and shall remain in full force and effect until 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 17, 2020, unless it is modified, amended, rescinded, or superseded.”
Gov. Tate Reeves Executive Order 1514 — July 30, 2020
  • Executive Order 1514 extended the statewide Safe Return instituted in Executive Order 1492 until 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 17, 2020.   
  • On May 28, 2020, Gov. Tate Reeves issued Executive Order 1492 outlining the “Safe Return” order, providing guidelines for group gatherings, travel, business operations, healthcare activities, recreation and amusement activities, reception halls/conference centers, schools and courts of law, in effect until June 15. On July 24, 2020, Gov. Tate Reeves issued Executive Order No. 1511 establishing tighter restrictions on social gatherings statewide until 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2020.This was further extended until 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 17, 2020 by Executive Order No. 1514.  
    • Group gatherings (Indoor): Social gatherings/activities shall be limited to a maximum of 10 participants indoor. All individuals shall maintain social distancing of a minimum of 6 feet distance between individuals not in the same household. This limitation shall not apply to religious entities, students in classrooms or gatherings in facilities governed by other capacity limitations.
    • Group gatherings (Outdoor): Social gathering/activities shall be limited to a maximum of 20 participants outdoor. All individuals shall be limited to a maximum of 20 participants outdoor. All individuals shall maintain social distancing of a minimum of 6 feet distance between individuals not in the same household. This limitation shall not apply to religious entities or gatherings governed by other capacity limitations. 
Oxford Board of Aldermen amendment to Serving Oxford Safely plan — August 4, 2020
  • The Oxford Board of Aldermen held a meeting on August 4 and passed an amendment, a 10th emergency resolution to the Serving Oxford Safely plan that requires masks be worn outdoors when social distancing is not possible.

Other Things to Know

Mississippi State Department of Health Guide to Executive Orders: Summary of the latest COVID-19 Executive Orders from Gov. Tate Reeves, organized by who and what they apply to
 
Through Mississippi Legislature’s House Bill 1799 and Senate Bill 3047, the MS Emergency Management Agency was allocated $70,000,000 of CARES Act money to assist counties and municipalities with their COVID-19 expenses
 
The Oxford School District Board delays the start of school two weeks to Aug. 24
 
Masks now required at mTrade Park in Oxford
UMMC and MSDH are hosting mobile COVID-19 sample collection sites. The appointment-only testing is free of charge. Mississippians who want to be tested must first complete a free screening from a UMMC clinician through an online questionnaire found at umc.edu/covidscreening. Or, they can call the UMMC Center for Telehealth at (601) 496-7200 on Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Anyone determined to need testing will be given an appointment date and time at the testing site most convenient.
  • Weekly, Monday–Saturday: Jackson, West Street Farmers Market
  • August 6: Richton, Perry County Multi-Purpose Center
  • August 6: Kosciusko, Attala County Coliseum
For other testing locations available statewide, please visit the MSDH website. Those testing locations are not affiliated with UMMC and have their own screening and appointment processes.
New York Times Coronavirus Vaccine Tracker
On the Lighter Side
Important Links
University studies and surveys
There are university studies and surveys underway that welcome your participation. Below is information on how you can learn about them and participate.